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04/26/2024 12:16:49 am

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Cuomo Softens Ebola Quarantine Policy, Makes Christie Look 'Extreme'

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo

(Photo : Reuters)

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is having a change of heart regarding New York's Ebola quarantine policy after New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie imposed a mandatory quarantine in his own state.

Following the positive Ebola diagnosis of Kaci Hickox, a physician with the Doctors Without Borders who returned to the U.S. after treating Ebola patients in West Africa, the two governors have imposed a 21-day mandatory quarantine period last week on healthcare workers who travelled from the Ebola-ridden countries.

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Christie first tested the policy after Hickox recently returned to the U.S. from Sierra Leone. He insisted that Hickox be placed under mandatory quarantine in an isolation unit in New Jersey.

Hickox, 33, who worked as a nurse and an epidemiologist in the West African country, opposed the quarantine. She said Christie's policy is "preposterous and inhumane" because she has been asymptomatic since she got back from Sierra Leone and has been tested negative for the virus twice.

The Hickox's case quickly drew media attention after she threatened to sue because of the forced quarantine.

Following the criticism that Christie's move has received and the White House's decision to push back on the forced quarantine policy, Cuomo was seen to have a shifted his view on the matter.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Cuomo's staff met with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to discuss the details about a news conference which will address the issue of the mandatory quarantine policy.

During a joint news conference late Sunday, Cuomo and de Blasio discussed the issue and shared a more softened policy in dealing with Ebola.

Contrary to the initial policy shared by Christie and Cuomo, stating that medical workers returning to the U.S. from West Africa will be put in isolation for 21 days, Cuomo said during Sunday's media conference that New York will now allow the returning health workers to spend the 21-day quarantine period in their homes.

According to the New York Governor, people arriving from the Ebola-ridden countries, who had direct contact with patients will be placed under quarantine for 21 days in their homes, and will frequently be visited by officials for monitoring.

Meanwhile, political analysts said Cuomo's move "made Christie seem more extreme" and has put the New Jersey governor in the spotlight for people who are opposing the policy.

However, Christie said on Monday that he spoke with Cuomo Sunday night and added that the New York governor did not really change his mind on the Ebola policy they agreed upon on Friday, adding that the in-house quarantine was also available for the residents of New Jersey.

Christie's administration released Hickox on Monday and allowed her to complete her 21-day quarantine period in her home state, Maine.

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